UKHSA warns of new meningitis B strains as uptake of vaccine lags among school leavers
UKHSA warned of more deadly meningitis B outbreaks after figures showed only 26.6 per cent of eligible school leavers had taken the jab, urging young people to get both doses.
The UK Health Security Agency has warned that more deadly outbreaks of meningitis B could occur, after new figures showed only 26.6 per cent of eligible school leavers have taken up the vaccine.
UKHSA’s first interim report, published on 1 October, found 212,549 of 799,840 eligible Year 13 pupils had received a first dose by 20 September — the first nine weeks of a one-off menB offer launched in July for school leavers and under-25s starting university this autumn. Two doses are essential, at least 28 days apart, available at pharmacies and bookable via the NHS website. The programme runs until 31 March 2027.
First-year university students face around seven times the risk of their non-university peers, with cases tending to peak in October and November. Three outbreaks this year — in Kent, Dorset and Berkshire — caused three deaths and left some survivors with life-long health consequences. A recent genome-sequencing study of the March Kent outbreak showed how suddenly dangerous new strains can emerge, meaning ‘similar outbreaks could occur again’.
‘We know how devastating Meningitis B can be,’ said Dr Sharif Ismail, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist. ‘Don’t regret not getting vaccinated — book in for yours now.’
NHS director of vaccination Caroline Temmink said the offer remains in place at high-street pharmacies and urged eligible young people to come forward.
Sources
- UKHSA press release, GOV.UK (01/10/2026): https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-212000-get-the-first-menb-dose-but-almost-75-missing-out
- Brit Brief (01/10/2026): https://britbrief.co.uk/health/public/ukhsa-warns-of-new-meningitis-b-strains-as-thousands-miss-jab.html
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